China and its rivals in the West are using Africa’s debt problems, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, as a political football in their struggle for power on the continent, experts say.Seifudein Adem, a professor of global studies at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan, said that ballooning national debt had been a major concern for many African countries even before Covid-19, but had now been brought front and centre.While it was encouraging that major creditors were seriously considering…

A Chinese social media group set up to provide personal protective equipment to hospitals in Wuhan has switched focus in line with the spread of the deadly coronavirus and is now reaching out to those in need around the world.FightforWuhan was the idea of 17-year-old high school student Yihe Chang and 19 other young people. It was launched on January 23, the same day the central China city at the epicentre of the health crisis was plunged into total lockdown.“That day was also my birthday and I…

Five Chinese labour rights activists who went missing after being arrested have been released after 17 months in detention.The five – Zhang Zhiru, Wu Guijun, Jian Hui, Song Jiahui and He Yuancheng – returned home on Thursday evening, according to a Hong Kong-based rights group China Labour Bulletin.They had been arrested by police for allegedly “disturbing public order” on January 20 last year as part of a crackdown triggered by an attempt by factory workers to form a trade union.Jian was…

The United States has ramped up its military operations in waters close to China this year as the risk of confrontation between the two nations continues to grow.So far this year, aircraft from the US armed forces have conducted 39 flights over the South China Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea and the Taiwan Strait – more than three times the number carried out in the equivalent period of 2019.Two of the flights passed closed to Hong Kong, a rare move that indicated their proximity to mainland…

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The government will have to consider the pros and cons of direct taxation, de facto taxation and debt as it negotiates the coronavirus economic crisis

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Universal and free healthcare will help us all in combating the virus, but this policy will also have benefits in the longer term

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The West’s perceptions of China hold up a mirror to its own preoccupations. More nuanced analysis is much-needed

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A Kenyan and a Ugandan trucker tested positive for the virus on Saturday.

The World Bank says countries whose debt is in dollars and those whose local debt is bought by foreigners are especially exposed.

“This is something we started in our CSR wing some years ago and we will continue doing so," he said.

New study explains effects of lockdowns and limitations on diagnosis, treatment and prevention services.

Mohamed assured that it’s a countrywide drive, and not an exclusively Rift Valley project.

The county made the move for lack of testing kits for staff at eateries.

Beijing says reforms are underway to improve disease prevention and control mechanisms.

Italian PM says the volunteer, who was taken from Kilifi in 2018, has been released.

The patient earlier sneaked into Tanzania to bury her step-father, health official says.

Amisom KDF forces have recorded remarkable success, especially in restoring peace in areas under its control.

It would be unfair for the government to propose a blanket isolation strategy based only on age.

We must inculcate in ourselves the right attitude critical to the fight against this pandemic.

Trust must be strong in your team: your trust in your team members; and their trust in you.

In a way, they are right. Predictions are often fraught with mistakes.

We have no doubt that he is ready to take on extraordinary challenges, including the fight against terrorism.

The sooner both Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto stop pussyfooting and bear their full fangs the better for Kenya.

Carefree socialising is back in full swing, with no evidence that frequent handwashing has become the norm.

A coalition government will further strengthen the Kenyatta and Raila axis, which is what it is all about.

The illusion that learning from home is taking place is a conscious bias that is remiss of the context.

Simple rules that have been repeated to us ad nauseam can, if followed effectively, ward off the virus.

Like any other post-conflict nation, it deserves a new lease of life.

Closing health training institutions as we did was not properly thought out.

This pandemic is a new test to our collective strength and we must work together to address it.

Students are more likely to succeed when they are supported as individuals.

Health authorities have warned of a further spike in infections.

An official mourning period of three days has been decreed.

It is viewed as a rival body to the Kenya Football Coaches Association (Kefoca).

Money from the sale of properties will be used to is to settle debts and run the party.

Sonko claims agency's actions are politically motivated.

There are plans to bring the bishop's body back to Kenya.

Kibochi is expected to the military chief to bring Kenyan soldiers back home from Somalia.

The foundation uses its funds to eradicate poverty, to promote literacy and numeracy.

From the top 20 students, only four had access to smartphones.

We all need some cheering up and need something to do with all the time we find ourselves with.

Some propose that frontline workers be housed at an isolated facility.

I well understand why so many murder stories are set on cruise ships.

For him, as long as the Maa community is happy, nothing else matters.

He was a beneficiary of the Kennedy Airlifts, a project in the late 1950s and early 60s.

Tour comes at a time when world leaders are holding virtual meetings

Nairobi, a restless metropolis of 4.4 million, is a bizarre landscape under curfew.

Health workers threaten to strike if they are not provided with safety kits.